July 1, 2009
Roseville,
CA
Adventist Health Transfers Ownership of SCMC to Mission Hospital
Adventist Health has transferred the ownership of what was known as South Coast Medical Center in Laguna Beach, California, to St. Joseph Health System’s Mission Hospital effective July 1, 2009.
In September 2008, the Adventist Health Board of Directors announced its intent to find a new owner for the 208-bed hospital through an open bidding process and later entered into negotiations with St. Joseph Health System.
“The decision to sell the hospital was difficult but necessary for the hospital to continue its essential role in the health of the community,” stated Robert G. Carmen, president and CEO of Adventist Health, which operated the hospital for the past decade. “We are pleased that another faith-based, not-for-profit system has purchased the hospital, an outcome advocated by Adventist Health, the City of Laguna Beach and the community at large.”
The transaction was overseen by the California Attorney General’s office, which is in charge of monitoring and approving sales of not-for-profit hospitals. A Health Care Impact study conducted for the Attorney General found near-unanimous community support for the sale—support that was strongly echoed at a locally-convened public hearing in April.
“Over the years, South Coast’s physicians, nurses and staff have valued their family-like relationships with their patients, patients’ families and community members,” said Carmen. “Many of them will be remaining with the hospital under Mission Hospital’s ownership. We extend our best wishes to Mission Hospital, its workforce and the Laguna Beach community for a strong, healthy future.”
